Indie developer Cyber Temple has unveiled their latest creation, DarkSwitch, a unique vertical survival city builder set in a world where civilization thrives atop a colossal tree.

The game was showcased at Gamescom 2025, offering a glimpse into the captivating blend of city management and survival gameplay as players strive to navigate through a treacherous fog engulfing their arboreal home. A demo of the game is now available for players to experience firsthand.

Here’s an overview of DarkSwitch along with the newly released trailer from Gamescom and the playable demo:

DarkSwitch challenges players to oversee a city perched atop a massive tree, sheltered from a lethal fog shrouding its surroundings. Alongside city building and survival mechanics, players will embark on exploration quests, defend against enigmatic threats, and uncover a rich narrative that shapes the fate of their society. Through quests, dialogues, and cutscenes, players will guide their city’s evolution by completing tasks, advancing technology, and fostering community growth. The game’s initial 2-hour prologue is now accessible to all players, providing a foundation for long-term strategic survival.

The primary antagonist in the game is the mysterious fog, which poses health and morale hazards to citizens. Utilizing custom voxel grid technology, the fog manifests dynamic, unpredictable shifts accompanied by immersive ambisonic sound effects. As survivors fled towards the treetops to escape the fog’s grasp, they faced a daunting challenge of rebuilding their lives amidst the perilous mist. Players assume the role of a colony leader tasked with guiding their people through adversity, reconstructing society, exploring remnants of a bygone era, gathering essential resources, and combating the ominous threat lurking within the fog. Amidst the bleak landscape, hope endures through unity and resilience.

Key Features:

• Construct Diverse Buildings: Develop industrial, social, and defensive structures, research new technologies, and deploy specialized machinery to elevate your treetop city’s capabilities.
• Resource Management: Strive for a delicate balance in allocating scarce resources among construction projects, defense initiatives, and resident needs to ensure sustainable growth.
• Combat the Fog: Illuminate pathways to repel the encroaching fog, reinforce defenses, and make challenging decisions to safeguard your city’s survival and inhabitants.
• Exploration and Discovery: Brave the fog to secure rare resources and unveil ancient artifacts, lead expeditions to rescue survivors, and delve into the mysteries surrounding the fog’s origins.
• Epic Narrative: Shape your city’s destiny through quests, objectives, and side missions centered around four main protagonists, unraveling a compelling storyline intertwined with the city’s development.